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Dannel Patrick "Dan" Malloy (b. July 21, 1955) is the current Democratic Governor of Connecticut Prior to beginning his campaign, he was the mayor of Stamford for 14 years, making him the longest serving mayor in the city's history.

Biography

Malloy is the youngest of eight children, seven sons and one daughter. He grew up in Stamford, Connecitcut and struggled with dyslexia throughout his childhood. Malloy still does not write or type, but has developed a strong memory and is able to speak with little reliance on notes.

He attended Boston College where he met his wife, Cathy, and then went on to study law at Boston College's law school.

He worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn from 1980 to 1984, moving to Connecticut to join the law firm of Abate & Fox in 1984. He was a partner there until he began his mayoral term in 1995.

Cathy and Dan have been married since 1982 and have three sons, Ben, Samuel, and Dannel. Cathy works as the Executive Director of the Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education, located in Fairfield County.

Education

Boston College Law School, JD

Boston College, BA

Issues

Pitch to teachers

During a telephone town hall to 3,000 teachers on September 22, 2010, Malloy referenced the state’s constitutional obligation to provide education and called binding arbitration a right that avoids strikes.

“If you want a governor who understands that binding arbitration is the hallmark of quality education in Connecticut,” Malloy said. “I am not going to change your right to binding arbitration.”

“The other folks on the other side have a big target on your back.”

According to Connecticut Education Association president Phil Apruzzese, the call began with 1,500 teachers on the line and by the end at least 3,000 teachers listened while fellow CEA members asked questions.

“We know that getting our members mobilized and to the polls is key for a Malloy-Wyman victory,” said Apruzzese at the beginning of the meeting.

“There’s really something at stake in this election,” Malloy said. “There’s a world of difference between me and the guy I’m running against.”

Malloy said his opponent’s plan to cut $2 billion from the budget won’t make up for the $3.4 billion budget deficit because he would need to cut local aid to make up the rest.

Malloy said funding from the state has not kept pace with general inflation, let alone the rate of education inflation. He called the concessions made by teachers to date "noble."

“I believe a contract is a contract is a contract,” Malloy said, adding that it is unfair that “public employees are singled out for these givebacks.”

“There’s a difference from myself and Mr. Foley,” he said. “I support what you do.”

Malloy said he would “hold school systems harmless” for the 14.5 percent cut in education cost sharing grants imposed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

According to Malloy, the cuts were hidden through the use of federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He said he would return ECS grants at least to their original level when the stimulus funds expire.Merit Pay
Malloy said he worried about the “potential unfairness” of merit pay or making salaries reflect test results.

He said such proposals are “a little scary, a little frightening” and that some people might not teach in urban areas “for fear that their compensation would be withheld.”

Instead, he said he supports “a system of review to ensure high quality teachers.”Pensions
“We’re going to have to have the discipline to fully fund our pension funds,” Malloy said. “We’re ranked the fifth worst state in funding our pension obligations.”

He said he has not given up on making defined benefit plans – pensions – work.

Elections

2010

Malloy faced Ned Lamont in the August 10 primary, defeating him by a margin of 57.7% to 42.3%.

Malloy faced RepublicanThomas C. Foley in the general election on November 2, 2010. After several reversed calls on the winner of the race and more than a one week delay, Malloy finally emerged as the victor.